Improvement in hoop-skirts



D UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JONATHAN MANN, OF WALTHAM, A ND ALEXANDER MCDONALD, OF CAM- BRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVEMENT IN HOOP-SKIRTS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 38,832, dated June 9, 1863.

Figure l is a front elevation of the said.

skirt; Fig. 2, a side elevation -or view ot' it; Fig. 3, a horizontal section of it. Fig. 4 is a vertical and longitudinal section of its springnippers.

In making the said skirt each of its hoops is to be disconnected in front, and one end is to overlap the other. Each half of all the ends of the several hoops is to be united to a connectingband, as shown at A A', the hoopsV being exhibited at B B as supported by or run through the usual strips of webbing, C C. One or more of the hoops should be left partially uncovered, and have one end attached to a pair of spring jaws or nippers, D, arranged so as to embrace the hoop at or near its opposite end. These nippers consist of two levers, a b, hinged together or having a common fulcrum, c, and being provided with a spring, d, for forcing their longer arms asunder, so as to cause the shorter ones or jaws to firmly grasp the hoop. Furthermore, there are several rings, e e e, which are placed on and so as to embrace the two lapped parts of the upper, lower, and middle hoops, or on those of any of the others, should it be desirable to have such rings on more of the hoops.

By opening the nippers and increasing the overlapping of the hoops the skirt will be contracted, the nippers, when let go of, being caused by their spring to firmly grasp theirhoops, so as to hold them contracted or prevent expansion of them. The skirt maybe extended at any time by opening the nippers and decreasing the overlapping of the hoops. The rings serve to keep the lapped parts of the skirt in proper connection or contiguity.

We claim- 1. The improved collapsible hoop-skirt, made substantially as described-viz., with each of its hoops lapped at its ends and having one or more spring-nippers or mechanical equivalents applied to one or more of them, so as to operate as specified, each half of the number of the ends of the hoops being connected by a band, as specified.

2. The combination and arrangement of rings with the hoop-skirt, when made with the ends of its hoops to overlap one another, and such hoops are provided with one or more spring-nippers applied to one or more of them, in manner and for the purpose as specified.

JONA. MANN.

ALEX. MCDONALD.

Witnesses:

It. H. EDDY, F. P. HALE, Jr. 

